The influence of finite size and shape anisotropy on exchange bias: A study of patterned Co/CoO nanostructures

The influence of finite dimensions on the exchange bias effect in patterned polycrystalline Co/CoO ferromagnet/antiferromagnet exchange bias systems was studied. Magnetization measurements on the smallest structures reveal that the exchange bias shift increases as the structure size becomes smaller. Off-specular neutron scattering experiments were used to study the asymmetric magnetization reversal behaviour.